Can't decide on telling the kids...

[la79al]

We leave for Disney in 3 weeks. The kids still don't even know. We were going to tell them 2 weeks ago but had some drama going on so we decided to wait. DH has given me the okay to tell them this weekend. But now I'm not sure if I want to. We were going to make them a puzzle to put together. Then we were going to do a scavenger hunt. Then we were going to combine the two. Now I am thinking about figuring out how to do a fortune cookie. I figure we could do something like "you will go to Disney World for vacation this year". Then DH and I could act like we have no clue but we better get ready just in case the cookie is right. But then the problem is that we either have to tell them the Sunday before we leave (we leave on a Friday) or we tell them as we are picking them up and heading to Florida (gotta love split custody). All the ressies are already made so I'm not sure why I want them to find out about the trip. I guess just so they can get excited about it.

 

[JESW]

Have they ever gone before? If they haven't, I vote for surprising them and not telling them until the last minute. (and make sure you get it all on video tape!)

Jill

 

[MSSANDRA]

Since they will not be with you the week before you go, I think I would wait to you pick them up on Friday to tell them. You never know how the other parent will deal with their excitment over the trip and I would hate for that parent to put a damper on the excitment of the trip.

 

[prekteacher]

We are going in may 2008 and we have not told my children . they will be 12 and 10 when we go. My dad wants to tell them i told him to wait and tell them at chirstmas time. Maybe we could get them ears with their name on it and have a ticket in the box. i can not wait to go . i have not been since i was 18 . takes about 17 years ago. i must be old.

 

[la79al]

We went 2 years ago. We told them on the way to the airport. We got an "oh okay" and then an hour of staring out the windows. They said this time they would like to find out the day before but we don't have them the day before. We pick them up on the way there. I kind of wanted them to help pack, in case there was anything in particular they did or did not want to take (you know how kids are...) but maybe we can play a game of we're going to Disney, lets plan it now. DSD will love it. DSS will just think I'm crazy.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I have ex issues too and I kind of agree with what PP said about waiting because the ex spouse may put a damper on the plans. I have had this happen with my kids-of course the ex was always giving the backhanded compliments to help deflate the kids, but as they got older they caught on and now they just don't share much of anything with their father. I think you will get plenty excitement out of the kids when you tell them after you pick them up! To me, I think that would be pretty cool-oh, btw, we're going to Disney. My kids would be dancing on the car roof the whole way to the airport!

 

[disneymummy]

My kids love Disney We have had a treasure hunt with clues all over the house ending in the place we are going to on vacation. The first time it ended with a clue which took them to Daddy who had Mickey mouse under his sweater. No problem guessing then. The last time - two weeks ago for our trip in July the last clue told them to switch on the TV and a DVD of The Magic Kingdom came on. the looks on their faces was priceless. My girls are 6, 10 and 12 and they all love Disney Have a great trip

 

[swillis]

I say pick them up and tell them on the way! I am waking my kids up in 13 "more sleeps" and asking "Anybody want to go to Disneyworld today?"

I have kept the secret since September 2006, and I can hardly breathe I am so excited! But I really can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they get woken up at the crack of dawn and find out they are going to Disney!

 

[jtopp]

Don't tell them. My favorite trip was the one I surprised my children with on the way to the airport. My only regret as that I didn't get a picture of thier faces, however, the memory will last a lifetime!